Last year brought us cod liver oil-gate: we learned that fermented cod liver oil, the gold standard of healthy supplementation for families everywhere, was a fraud. I told you about why our family stopped taking it and what we take instead.
After Dr. Kaayla Daniel, then vice president of the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF), conducted independent studies of Green Pasture fermented cod liver oil, she published a report, detailing that not only was the fermented cod liver oil rancid, but it lacked the vitamin content that was being promoted.
The ensuing controversy left die-hard fermented cod liver oil fans grasping for the truth, and wondering what they should do next. Dr. Daniel was accused of lying and profiteering, and was, ultimately, fired from the foundation.
So why was Dr. Daniel willing to put her reputation on the line, losing her job, and creating enemies everywhere? I spoke with Dr. Daniel soon after she published her report “Hook, Line, and Stinker” and she told me, “I’m a mom, and that’s why I did this.”
Daniel had received complaints from many parents stating their children were having poor reactions to the fermented cod liver oil, which prompted her to investigate the health claims of the product. When she brought her concerns to WAPF, however, she was stonewalled, and the foundation refused to listen to her concerns or conduct independent testing on the fermented cod liver oil, instead relying on the reports from the company who manufactured the oil (Green Pasture).
In fact, WAPF had never independently tested any cod liver oils prior to 2015. Sally Fallon, president of WAPF says, “We have never tested products for endorsement, only looked at the ingredient list to see whether they fit into our guidelines. However, for the important product of cod liver oil, because of this controversy, I will now be recommending to the board that we develop a protocol for testing all brands for vitamin levels and markers of rancidity before we approve them.” (source, emphasis mine)
The only test results WAPF used to proclaim fermented cod liver oil contained high vitamin levels were the results posted on the Green Pasture website. These results showed that, in addition to very high vitamin levels, the bulk of the vitamin D was in the form of D2, a plant-based vitamin D found in mushrooms, and it contained very low levels of D3. Fish oils and cod liver oil do not contain plant-based vitamin D2, but animal-based D3.
Following the WAPF’s refusal to test fermented cod liver oil, Dr. Daniel decided to take matters into her own hands. That’s when things got interesting.
Dr. Daniel tests fermented cod liver oil
Dr. Daniel went underground, securing independent funding and paying an independent lab to test the oil. Though she was concerned about the oil, the results were worse than she anticipated: the oil had markers indicating rancidity, and the vitamin content was nowhere near what had been previously reported. (source)
Back in 2009, Green Pasture reported the vitamin content of their fermented cod liver oil was as follows: 9,500 IU vitamin A/ tsp and 1,950 IU vitamin D/ tsp. More recent testing has shown these numbers may be grossly inflated. These numbers are more than double the vitamin A and triple the vitamin D levels found in raw, extra virgin cod liver oil, another top-rated cod liver oil promoted by WAPF, which contains 3,500 to 4,500 IU/tsp of vitamin A and 350 to 450 IU/tsp of vitamin D.
Even if the fermentation process somehow increases the vitamin levels in fermented cod liver oil, research points to a lack of bioavailable vitamins in appropriate ratios.
WAPF tests fermented cod liver oil
In November of 2015, WAPF finally tested fermented cod liver oil. They used two different labs, Covance and UBE Labs. The Covance test results were in the same ball park as Dr. Daniel’s test results (only lower). According to Covance, fermented cod liver oil contained 3,125 IU/teaspoon of vitamin A and only 59 IU/teaspoon of vitamin D3. (source)
This figure is nowhere near the vitamin D2 value shown by UBE, which fits with Green Pasture’s original claim of a range of 1,500-5,000 IU/tsp.
The Weston A. Price Foundation’s own testing vindicated Dr. Kaayla Daniel and no one noticed. We heard crickets.
The test results from UBE Labs show that total vitamin A was still in the same range at 3,445 IU/teaspoon but the vitamin D was 1,645 IU/teaspoon, and all in the form of D2. (Note that UBE is the lab Green Pasture relied on for their original testing and subsequent vitamin content claims).
Interestingly, a report on vitamin D levels showing testing done on cod liver oil that has been “molecularly distilled with no added vitamins” (think refined, grocery-store cod liver oil), “unheated” cod liver oil (think extra virgin cod liver oil), and “fermented” cod liver oil (Green Pasture) displayed on the WAPF’s Web site is missing the values for vitamin D3 for the fermented cod liver oil. (Figure 4.) However, if you view the results of the testing done by Covance Lab, you will see that it actually shows a value of 59 IU/tsp. (source)
While WAPF continues to promote fermented cod liver oil as the best type of cod liver oil available, Sally Fallon says, “In general, results from UBE were considerably higher than those for Covance… it is likely that the form of vitamin D identified as D2 by UBE labs is another, as yet unidentified, form of vitamin D. UBE Labs says that they do a very thorough job of releasing or extracting the vitamin D, and that is why they get high results. Unfortunately, they will not share their methodology with us, so we (WAPF) have not published any of their results in our journal.” (source 1, 2)
WAPF will not publish UBE’s results in their journal, yet these are still the results they use to promote exorbitantly high vitamin levels in fermented cod liver oil. Note that Green Pasture pulled the test results from their website a year ago and post no vitamin A and D levels on their bottle labels.
Mystery D
Additionally, while the foundation no longer believes that fermented cod liver oil contains D2, they continue to rely on these high vitamin D levels based on the idea that there is a “mystery” vitamin D that is being detected. If this “mystery” D is really the vitamin D we should be after, why all the charades? Why not just come clean and be up front about the fact that fermented cod liver oil has no appreciable levels of vitamin D3, the type of vitamin D one would expect to find in cod liver oil?
To date, Fallon states “…the forms of D in cod liver oil are not D2 but other metabolites. We hope to solve this mystery with further research.” She goes on to say that there are “hundreds of vitamin D metabolites” so we are to accept that it isn’t important which type of vitamin D is present, just that it’s there. (source)
The reason most of us take cod liver oil is to obtain vitamin D3, the same form of vitamin D that our bodies make when our skin is exposed to sunlight. I’m not interested in a mystery vitamin D, just vitamin D3, which is strangely absent in fermented cod liver oil.
A to D ratio
The problem with assuming that fermented cod liver oil is chock-full of vitamin D, is that it is also chock-full of vitamin A, which can easily become toxic in the wrong ratio. To keep vitamin A in check, it needs to be combined with vitamin D3 at a ratio of approximately 10:1 (ten times more vitamin A than vitamin D3). According to the Covance lab test of fermented cod liver oil, the ratio of A:D is approximately 53:1 which is much higher than the 5:1 ratio for fermented cod liver oil stated on the foundation website (and much higher than the 10:1 ratio that is expected in cod liver oil).
The foundation states, “It is important to AVOID cod liver oil that contains low levels of vitamin D in relationship to vitamin A. The ratio of D to A should be AT LEAST 1 to 10.” The foundation recommends that the ratio of A to D should not be greater than 10:1 (for every one unit of vitamin D there should be no more than 10 units of vitamin A). (source)
Fermented cod liver oil and vitamin D deficiency
If fermented cod liver oil really does contain all this fabulous vitamin D (whatever type it may be), why are so many users (myself included) still vitamin D deficient?
As I wrote about last year, blood tests showed that both my son and I were vitamin D deficient, after years of faithfully taking fermented cod liver oil. I was flabbergasted. Not only had I spent a small fortune on this oil that was supposed to bolster my immune system and keep me healthy, but I was suffering from the very ailments it was supposed to alleviate and prevent: vitamin D deficiency and poor immune function. My son had the same problems.
It turns out, I wasn’t alone, and Sally Fallon admits that others have reported similar problems. She says, “Obviously the product does not have the same effect on all people. Again, this is an interesting question and one that we hope to look into.” (source)
Fallon also notes, “This does not mean we do not recommend that some individuals have their vitamin D levels tested. Such testing can be very useful in determining vitamin D status and the effectiveness of cod liver oil or vitamin D supplements.” (source)
If we’re taking cod liver oil that contains 1,645 IU/tsp of vitamin D, how the heck are we deficient?
The simple answer: fermented cod liver oil cannot possibly contain such high levels of vitamin D. Whether or not it contains vitamin D2 or some other, unnamed D vitamin, it is clear that fermented cod liver oil is lacking vitamin D3, the accepted form of vitamin D that strengthens the immune system and raises blood levels of vitamin D.
Indeed, one study concludes, “In humans, vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 at raising serum 25(OH)D concentrations.” (source)
Did you buy into fermented cod liver oil, hook, line, and stinker?
I did. And, once I learned the truth, our family stopped taking it. We now rely on extra-virgin cod liver oil, a choice I feel good about, and another that the WAPF endorses.
I’m not sure why the WAPF has not been more transparent about this matter, but as a mom who has worked hard to heal a very sensitive child, I am very careful about what I give my family, and when there is this much misinformation and controversy surrounding a product, I simply cannot trust it.
Please share to help clear up some of the misinformation surrounding fermented cod liver oil.
Have you had your vitamin D levels checked since you began supplementing the extra virgin CLO? Just curious. Ugh, makes me sick when I think about how much FCLO we’ve bought and ingested in the last four years. 🙁
Sorry; I haven’t. I wouldn’t stress about it if you haven’t had any terrible reactions. Just do your research and start using one you feel comfortable with!
Thanks for posting this information. I’ve been waiting to hear more news. I personally took FCLO and had to stop because it made me sick. I gave it to my children for years and never noticed any health benefits. One of my children had their Vitamin D levels tested last year and the level was low. After the report came out I stopped giving it to my children and I’ve been waiting for more information as everyone has taken sides and nothing seems clear.
By the way, the links to the reports don’t work. When I click on them they bring up your testing timeline graphic.
Oops! I see where you linked the sources now. Somehow I glossed over those. 🙂
I stopped using the FCLO from this company when I took it faithfully and at great expense for over a year and my level dropped from 17 to <6
Sorry to hear that. You are the first person I’ve heard report a drop in d levels after discontinuing fclo.
Actually, I’m wondering if Jill is saying that during the time she was taking the FCLO her D level dropped, and that’s when she stopped using it. Jill, could you clarify this?
If so, that would make more sense!
Did the WAPF re-test determine anything about the different fish oil content? I was amazed, as a regular FCLO consumer, to have significantly deficient omega-3 fatty acids… I was also eating fish at the time, so I was shocked. Now I take omega 3’s, ditched the FCLO and no longer recommend it to my patients.
If you’re thinking you’ve somehow vindicated Kayla Daniels’ report, you clearly didn’t read the WAPF report that you linked to very carefully. It’s entirely possible that FCLO does not work for you and your family AND that it works for many others, for reasons explained in the linked WAPF report (listed above as (source, emphasis mine), but I can’t reproduce the link myself). The WAPF report is completely open and transparent and refrains from defaming anybody, quite in contrast to Dr. Daniels’ report. I don’t doubt that she is sincere, and I went to her conference in Massachusetts last November, and listened to her presentations, but I am not able to reconcile the conflicting claims in her favor. It is sad to me that so many people have become so extremely black-and-white in their thinking over this issue and have alleged wrongdoing and bad faith where the evidence of that is lacking. Disappointing. As the WAPF points out, there is no one product guaranteed to be appropriate for everyone, at all stages of life and under all conditions.
Fantastic post!!! One of my readers just sent this to me on Facebook. SHOCKING that WAPF and Green Pasture have done nothing to correct the misinformation.
Your timeline is amazing! So easy to read and understand. Great job.
I would like to write a blog post on my site and link back to this one. Thank you so much for writing this.
Thanks for the link! I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂
I’ve taken several forms of supposedly vitamin D-rich products, including fermented and pure cod liver oil and D3 capsules. I’ve eaten many pastured, free-range eggs (which a friend has done and greatly increased her D levels). I’ve spent a lot of time in the sun. A few years back I went “Primal” – eating a “Paleo” diet with resistant starch from potatoes and rice included, everything organic or better, pastured, free-ranged, etc. I eat as clean and nutrient dense as is possible in our modern world. But I haven’t healed my predominant issues and I haven’t raised my very low vitamin D levels an iota. I recently decided to switch directions and have been studying into hormones as the root of my particular issues, and lo and behold I just read from Dr Vliet in her book on testosterone for women that without adequate levels of testosterone the body can’t manufacture vitamin D. I know from abundant lab work that I’m low in T, as well as most everything important, so I’m hoping that new treatment will turn things around. I wish I were already able to testify to the effectiveness of hormone balancing in raising D levels, but I thought I’d at least put it out there as a possibility. Hopefully it works for me and I’ll remember to come back here and share success with you. But keep this in mind as you’re seeking your own health. In our whacky world of endocrine disrupters and poor nutrient foods etc even children are frequently hormone imbalanced, and hormones are much more important than most of us realize.
@Mary regarding importance of hormones – i agree 💯
how are your Testosterone levels now?
hope to hear back from you
Thanks for posting this update on the situation. I was wondering if it ever went anywhere, ’cause like you said… crickets. 🙁 It’s too bad Kaayla was fired.
I can testify…I took FCLO for years and my D was 14, I quit when the report came out and it shot up quickly and now it is 56. Unfortunately, I believed WAPF and kept working harder to take ore FCLO And ended up with a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst (related to lo vitamin D) severe hair loss (like all head hair) also a symptom of low vitamin D and a hysterectomy. My C reactive protien was so high they thought I might have ovarian cancer! I am really upset with WAPF for taking people’s health so lightly. Still trying to recover from the damage done. I personally wouldn’t touch any cod liver oil now. I take liver capsules and krill oil. I think cod liver oil is overrated.
Ugh. And now a dark cloud hangs over WAPF and their trustworthiness/reliability. Not everyone has the time or resources to research and scrutinize for themselves everything that comes down the health trail and often rely on trusted sources to relay critical and valuable information. I thought WAPF was one of those sources. This information is discouraging. Thanks to you, though, for bringing it to light and sharing what your family does alternatively.
Low vitamin D is a concern. Why haven’t you tested your vitamin D levels since you switched brands? I have heard of many people having low vitamin D even after supplementing with regular cod liver oil.
I just haven’t had a need to. After seeing a functional medicine doctor, I’m feeling better and don’t need to spend any more time or money on testing at this time.
Very good point… there is 0 evidence that low vit D was caused by low vit D in FCLO—I bet FCLO is NOT to blame here; this could be tested easily…
And the way the article summarizes the green pasture controversy is very simplistic; unfortunately there is no clear answer to the question “should one stop taking FCLO in light of the recent evidence from KD and others?” (see Chris Kresser recent post on this). But if anything it seems the correct answer may be NO (i.e., FCLO is fine). Please see http://chrismasterjohnphd.com/2015/08/29/weighing-in-on-fermented-cod-liver-oi/ .
Several months ago, I bought a few bottles of the fermented codliver capsules via Amazon. How do I return these? I am so shocked and upset to read this about Green Pastures. It seems nobody is to be trusted anymore.
I’m sorry, Evodney. You could always try contacting both Amazon and the company directly. Good luck!
Do you have a recommendation for a product that can provide the D3 via capsule that needs no refrigeration?
I don’t know of any, Christy. I’m sorry. I did hear that Rosita will soon be offering capsules of their evclo, but my guess is they will need to be refrigerated.
Thanks for this article. You did a great job highlighting inconsistencies and strange happenings. It’s really telling that WAPF hasn’t gone back and corrected FCLO vitamin information in light of recent testing that they did. But I think it is because of an institutional core belief that the product is safe and healthy and nutrient dense. I was told that in a WAPF board meeting they did an “energy reading” on the FCLO, determined it was good, and have been publishing any information that confirms their belief and discounting and disparaging and suppressing any information that they don’t like. Just look at the UBE testing. I mean, the company can’t even find a vitamin (D3) in any of the CLOs sent to it for testing, that is it is historically known to contain. The test results are untrustworthy enough that WAPF won’t risk its reputation by publishing them in their entirety in their journal, but yet are the basis for a massive FCLO marketing campaign spanning 6 or 7 years, which snookered many of us. WAPF and Sally’s behavior in this has been completely irresponsible. But on the other side of the coin, the actions by Dr. Daniel and others have not been entirely selfless. There were axes to grind. It’s been a big mess, but personally, I’ve learned a lot, I think a lot of information came out that needed to come out, I’ve been reminded that I can’t let somebody else do my thinking and research for me, and I think my family and my customers are better off not using FCLO.
Thank you for the article! My kids and I faithfully took the Green Pastures cod liver oil before they changed over to fermented. We bought the fermented and it made us sick, nauseated and burned our throats. I felt even more sick throwing that money in the garbage. Years, later I joined the Magnesium Advocacy group and learned how to raise hormone D (D is not a vitamin by the way), in our bodies. People deficient in Magnesium will not synthesize Hormone D. We started taking magnesium malate, glycinate, taurate or epsom salt baths with magnesium cofactors (boron, bicarbonate and Nordic Naturals cod liver oil) and saw our D levels go up. If you test for Hormone D you need both active and storage levels for D in your body. All the necessary info is on the facebook group and or website. Just google Magnesium Advocacy Group.
I contacted Sally Fallon as recently as yesterday. WAPF did there own independent testing that appeared in Wise Traditions Spring 2016. I watched and sent Sally the video interview on the FCLO with Dr Rudi Moerck.
Here was her reply to me when i asked her what her thoughts were — We just sent an update to members. The FCLO is a very good product, very stable and not rancid. His company produced conventional molecularly distilled cod liver oil (heated very hot, synthetic vitamins added), so he is bound to be against something as natural as FCLO.
Was curious what your thoughts were on this issue. Thank you, Dan
Hi Dan. I’m not familiar with Dr Moerck or his CLO, but I feel that the test results on FCLO speak for themselves. I don’t feel comfortable giving it to my family.
Thanks. Have you seen this? It appears that Dave Wetzel and Sally Fallon are relatives? Cousins? Aunt and nephew? Thoughts? http://www.forevermissed.com/john-baptist-fallon/#about
Wow, that would help to explain the unflinching loyalty Sally has to Green Pasture: she’s related to the company’s owner. And I would imagine that Wetzel being a top donor to the WAPF is another factor. As the old adage goes, blood is thicker than cod liver oil.
Wow, if she is related to David Wetzel, that should be disclosed! A disappointing response by WAPF and by Green Pastures.
What a good find!!! Thank you for posting this!!! And thanks, too, for the excellent blog post, Jaclyn. I have been so disappointed with WAPF’s handling of this problem. I have discontinued my membership, and joined the PPNF. I wrote to WAPF but my plea for reason and care fell on deaf ears… which is sadly to be expected at this point. I cannot believe how lightly WAPF is taking the health of their dear members, many among them very small children and pregnant women. It is irresponsible.
Thanks Lisa. I agree.
There should be a wide survey of people measuring their Vit D levels before and after taking FCLO, and another one for EVCLO.
That would be nice, but quite costly.
I was taking the FCLO mint flavor liquid back in 2015. Then one order I accidentally received an unflavored bottle instead of mint. I tried to take it anyway, but I could not bring myself to swallow it. It tasted so foul, and no amount of stevia, honey, or peppermint essential oil could cover the flavor. I continued to use the mint flavor until Dr. Kayla Daniel’s report came out, then I stopped taking any CLO. I used to take it with cultured grass-fed butter, and sensed my body would “ask” for it. Now I wonder if it was asking for the butter instead of the FCLO. The question I have is why some (so many?) people report feeling better taking the FCLO? I guess I’ll just eat more wild salmon and grass-fed beef liver and pastured egg yolks. I just read that wild salmon in stores turned out to be farmed salmon when tested. Does the research ever end???